Electrolytic formation of carbon-sheathed mixed Sn-Pb nanowires

Carbon-encapsulated Sn-Pb nanowires are generated by electrolysis of graphite in molten LiCl containing these metals. SA-EDX analyses indicate a distinctive profile for the metal cores in which Sn predominates at one end and Pb at the other of the individual nanowires; X-ray diffraction measurements reveal that separate crystals of each metal can be distinguished, thus zone refining has occurred. The cores exhibit dynamic behavior under electron irradiation. A growth mechanism is proposed for the nanowires.